Guide to world coins?

I have a bunch of world coins that I assume are fairly common. We bought the coins to teach my son about other cultures. Most of the coins are from 1930 to 1980. However, I cannot read what some say because they use a different alphabet.

Is there a book or online guide that will help me identify these coins (dates & country)?

Is there standard value/price guide for world coins?

Thanks for the help,
Sean

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Krause Standard Catalog of World Coins is your best bet.

 

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

You can also try this web site for quick identification

http://worldcoingallery.com/Inst-ID/page1.html

 

The Krause volumes are somewhat pricey, but frequently you can find a recent edition at Amazon or Ebay for a good price.

Another source is your local public library, although most of them stock the telephone book-sized volumes in their non-circulating reference section.

 

Collector1966: Thanks for the link!

Hontonai: My local (rural) library doesn't have anything on world coins. I will have to check Amazon.com or get it through inter-library loan.

Thanks for the help!

 

I recently found a used copy of the Krause guide to 19th C. coins at a local coin show for less than $10 - a great deal. If you keep looking around and have patience (look at used book stores and yard sales), you can turn up some good reference tools.

Also, if you have any interest at all, attend a meeting of any coin club that might be in your area--with your son in tow. It's been my experience that old guys at coin club meetings are total suckers for kids and will gladly sell you cheap, or outright give away, old reference books (and other goodies) that they don't use any more or have extras of.

 

Hey BlueGill - I represent that :goofer:

As for the public library - if ya go to the librarian, they will order your books for you and have them shipped in from the main library.
As far as I know Krause has 1700, 1800,1900 and 2000. And they may have a 1600, have to look.
Then there is Charlton (Canadien) and Sear (Greek and Roman and quite expensive). Not too familiar with other countries, but I am sure there are some there as well.
Krause is good for identifiying. Retail value is suspect on non-US.
OOPS almost forgot Red book (carry in car).
Hope this muddies the HOH

 

I found a cheap new copy on Amazon. This way I won't forget to return the book to the library (I HATE late fees).

 

Krause's catalog is the standard. I recommend an edition called "Collecting World Coins: More than a century of circulating issues" because it is less bulky and does not include proof, not-intended-for-circulation coins. I got my copy from amazon for less than $10, shipped.

A fabulous website is Don's World Coin Gallery. It has a section to help you narrow down IDs, and it has a huge amount of pictures.

-wheatiefan

 

Thanks so much for the great info! Keep it coming.

 

I would also recommend this book.